Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: mm, this has a strong smoky flavour that I loved -- it's very good! It's flavourful and juicy and the texture is authentic -- it looks, tastes, feels *and* smells like meat. The only downside is the high sodium content, the use of 'hydrolysed soy protein' and the fact that Yves isn't quite clear on the GMO status of their ingredients. For these reasons, I wouldn't buy it again and wouldn't recommend it for health reasons.
Where to buy: Fortinos
Ingredients: water, wheat gluten, soy protein, wheat protein product, natural flavours (contain wheat and soy), wheat starch, canola oil, spices (contains mustard), evaporated cane juice, yeast, salt, natural liquid smoke, citric acid, carrageenan, yeast extract, beetroot powder, potassium chloride, hydrolysed soy protein, vitamins and minerals (thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin, calcium pantothenate, ferric orthophosphate, iron oxide, zinc oxide, dimagnesium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, wheat starch).
Contains soy, wheat and mustard.
Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 4 slices
Calories: 100
Fat: 1.5g
Saturated: .2g
Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 490mg
Potassium: 200mg
Carbohydrate: 7g
Fibre: 1g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 15g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 25%
*Full nutrition facts available here.
The ingredients are all okay, save for the inclusion of the 'hydrolysed soy protein'. It's often the case with hydrolysed proteins that they are used to produce MSG to enhance flavours. This probably explains why this product is so deliciously smokey. It sucks.
The nutrition profile is quite good, however. It's low-calorie, low in fat, has no cholesterol, and has a really good amount of protein. However, the sodium content is way too high when you add 2 slices of bread and condiments.
Other flavours (all vegan): Other 'Quick Meals' (all vegan):
- Beef Veggie Tenders
- Chicken Satay Veggie Skewers
- Chicken Souvlaki Veggie Skewers
- Chicken Veggie Tenders
- Meatless Deli Turkey Slices (reviewed here)
- Meatless Deli Bologna Slices (reviewed here)
- Meatless Deli Salami Slices (reviewed here)
- Teriyaki Chick'n Tenders
- Veggie Cajun Chick'n Slices
- Veggie Chili (reviewed here)
- Veggie Corn Dogs
- Veggie Meatballs Frozen
- Veggie Nuggets with Whole Grain Breading
- Veggie Pizza Pepperoni Slices (reviewed here)
- Uncertain GMO status
- Kosher
- Preservative-free
- Free of artificial colours and flavours
Love the ham! Great smokey flavor. I made a sandwich with a toasted English muffin, dijonaise mustard, pepper and the Yves ham. Delicious and if I did not know it was not real meat I wouldn't be able to tell. I have tried a lot of the Yves meatless meats and I'm absolutely floored on how they can produce a product that tastes so much like real meat without any meat! I wish they could produce a whole meatless roast beef/pork/chicken in the shape/texture etc of real roasts. It's easy to go vegetarian when you have such good tasting choices. I have been eating the hotdogs, hamburgers, bacon, ham for a month now and have not had any real meat. the Yves products have curbed my appetite for meat and even my cats beg for some and love it too. If you can convince a cat that it's meat,,,that's saying something since cats are sharp, finicky.
ReplyDeleteHi David. Thanks for your comment. Yes, its really interesting to consider how they create that meaty flavour! There are those key ingredients used for flavouring like liquid smoke that folks question in terms of food safety. I think the jury is still out on that, not sure.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree--it's very easy to be vegetarian with such tasty options. Regarding he roast, I don't recall ever seeing an Yves roast, but I have seen Tofurky's holiday roast at Fortino's (reviewed here: http://artuma.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-of-tofurky-roast.html). I really enjoyed it and would recommend you give it a shot if you haven't already.
I've tried feeding our cats faux meat products and failed time and time again. You have an open-minded cat :)